Hanna leads in poll

Republican Sean Hanna leads Democrat Ted O’Brien by 8 percentage points in their campaign to replace James Alesi as the 55th District representative in the state Senate.

Hanna, currently the 130th District representative in the state Assembly, is favored by 47 percent of likely voters, a Siena Research Institute poll released Wednesday shows. O’Brien, a Monroe County legislator, is favored by 39 percent.

The 55th District includes portions of Monroe and Ontario counties, with Democrats having a 5-point edge in voter enrollment, Siena poll spokesman Steven Greenberg said.

“Job creation is far and away the single most important issue voters want their senator working on in Albany,” Greenberg said of the 55th District race.

Job creation is the most important issue for 28 percent of those surveyed, the state budget is the priority of 16 percent, and state taxes are the priority of 14 percent.

O’Brien is supported by two-thirds of Democrats in the district, the poll shows, with Hanna supported by three-fourths of the GOP and with a 16-point lead among independents.

“Hanna is more well-known and has a stronger favorability rating than O’Brien,” Greenberg said. “Voters think Hanna will do a better job for them on most issues, including the three most important issues to voters.”